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250 Arrested After Rowdy Bicycle Ride

July 27, 1997|By From Tribune News Services.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — A day after 250 cyclists were arrested during a rowdy mass bike ride, Mayor Willie Brown defended the arrests Saturday and said he won't tolerate bicyclists who break the law. "Civil disobedience is civil disobedience," he said.

As many as 7,000 cyclists took part in the ride meant to generate more respect for the two-wheeled travelers. But it quickly turned into chaos as thousands of whooping and whistling riders ran red lights and shouted or spat at passing motorists.